Occupant-propelled rolling device for amusement and exercise



Nov. 10, 1964 H. w. FENWICK 3,156,485

OCCUPANT-PROPELLBD ROLLING DEVICE FOR AMUSEMENT AND EXERCISE Filed Feb. 5, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

HAQQY l W. FENWucK ATTORN 1964 H. w. FENWICK 3, 5 ,486

SEMENT AND EXERCISE CE FOR AMU OCCUPANT-PROPELLED ROLLING DEVI 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 5, 1963 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,156,486 OCCUPANT-PROPELLED ROLLING DEVICE FOR AMUSEMENT AND EXERCISE Harry L. W. Fenwick, 9661 Shannon Ave., Garden Grove, Calif.

Filed Feb. 5, 1963, Ser. No. 256,353 1 Claim. (Cl. 280-206) This invention relates to amusement and exercising devices, and more particularly to an occupant-propelled tumbling and rolling apparatus.

A main object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved amusement and exercising device of the rolling or tumbling type which is relatively simple in construction, which is safe to operate, and which is arranged so that an occupant can cause the device to roll or rock by suitably shifting his weight, the device having a generally spherical frame-like configuration which completely surrounds the occupant and protects the occupant from injury.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved exercising and amusement device of the rocking or rolling type, said device being inexpensive to manufacture, being durable in construction, being easy to assemble, being relatively light in weight so that it can be readily transported or stored, and being provided with means for safely securing the occupant therein so that the occupant will be entirely protected by the framework of the device during its use.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description and claims, and from the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of an improved amusement and exercising device of the rocking and rolling type constructed in accordance with the present invention.

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view showing the elements of the device of FIGURE 1 in separated positions.

FIGURE 3 is a top plan view of the amusement and exercising device of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 4 is a vertical cross sectional view taken substantially on the line 4-4 of FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical cross sectional view taken substantially on the line 55 of FIGURE 4.

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical cross sectional view taken substantially on the line 6-6 of FIGURE 4.

Referring to the drawings, 11 generally designates an amusement and exercising device constructed in accord ance with the present invention. The device 11 comprises a generally spherical framework consisting of a first pair of continuous parallel spaced circular hoops 12 and 13 and a second pair of continuous parallel spaced circular hoops 14 and 15 crossing the first pair of hoops at right angles and connected transversely to the first pair of circular hoops at their right-angled intersections, to define the aforesaid substantially spherical framework.

As shown in FIGURE 6, the circular hoops 12 and 13 are transversely superimposed over the circular hoops 14 and 15, the hoops 12 and 13 being inwardly deformed, as shown at 16, and the hoops 14 and 15 being similar inwardly deformed, as shown at 17, at their areas of transverse superposition, whereby to define respective cross-lapped joints, the transversely superimposed portions of the hoops being connected together by fastening bolts 18. The portions of the hoops intervening between their transverse connections, namely, at the top and bottom of the framework, as viewed in FIGURE 4, are straight, as shown at 20, whereas the remaining portions of the hoops are arcuately curved. Thus, since 3,156,486 Patented Nov. 10, 1964 the hoops are all of the same diameter and the respective pairs are spaced apart by the same distances, re spective square panels 21 and 22 are defined at the top and bottom of the framework, said square panels consisting of the straight portions of the hoops intervening between the respective transverse connections thereof.

Secured on the straight portions 20 of the respective square panels are respective spherically curved cover plates 24 and 25, of sheet metal, or the like, the cover plates being provided at their margins with respective receiving channels 27 which receive the straight portions 20 of the square frame panels 21 and 22 and which are secured thereto by suitable fastening bolts 26.

As will be seen from FIGURE 4, the spherically curved top and bottom cover plates 24 and 25 are curved to conform with the curvature of the sphere defined by the framework of the device, namely, by the frame work defined by the transversely connected pairs of hoops 12, 13 and 14, 15. It will be further noted that by deforming the transversely overlapping portions of the hoops in the manner above described, the external periphery of the framework is smooth and relatively continuous, without any protrusions or bumps, thereby insuring smooth rolling action of the device.

Designated at 28 and 29 are respective parallel bars chordally connected in the respective parallel hoops 14 and 15, the parallel bars 28 and 29 being transversely connected near their end portions by respective transverse bars 30 and 31. Transversely secured on the parallel bars 28 and 29 inwardly adjacent the cross bar 31 is a seat 32 provided with the upwardly and rearwardly inclined seat back portion 33. The base portion of the seat 32 is provided with respective flexible seat belt seg ments 34 and 35 connected to its opposite side edges and provided with suitable buckle means for fastening the segments together around the body of an occupant positioned in the seat.

Secured on the cross bar 30 are a pair of flexible footreceiving loops 34', 34' spaced to receive the feet of the occupant, in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 4.

Designated at 38 and 39 are respective hand grasping bars which are connected between the intermediate portions of the bars 28 and 29 and the top portions of their associated hoops 14 and 15, the bars being inclined forwardly and upwardly away from the seat 32 in the manner clearly shown in FIGURE 4. The bars 38 and 39 are provided with hand grip sleeves 40 of rubber or other suitable resilient deformable material, located on the upper portions of the bars in positions easily reached by an occupant located on the seat 32, as is illustrated in FIGURE 4.

As shown in FIGURE 5, the cross bars 30 and 31 are rigidly secured between the parallel bars 29, for example, by means of fastening screws 42 threadedly engaged in plug members 43 secured in the end portions of the cross bars, the fastening screws being engaged through the bars 28 and 29 and threadedly engaging in the plugs 43 to clamp the ends of the bars 30 and 31 between the bars 28 and 29.

The square frame panels at the top and bottom of the device are rigidly braced by the provision of respective diagonal brace bars 44 and 45 having flattened ends which are secured between the transversely connected deformed hoop portions at diagonally opposite corners of the panels. The brace bars 44 and 45 prevent the hoop members of the framework from altering their spacing, namely, prevent pivoting at the fastening screws 18.

In using the device, the occupant is positioned in the seat 32 and is securely fastened therein by means of the seat belt members 34 and 35, which are fastened together to retain the occupant in the seat. The occupant places his feet in the loops 34', 34' of the front cross bar 30 and grasps the inclined hand bars 38 at the gripping sleeves 40. By shifting his weight either forwardly, rearwardly, laterally, or diagonally, the occupant can cause the device to roll or rock, and can execute various types of interesting maneuvers, providing a substantial degree of exercise and amusement. Due to the protective framework, the occupant is never exposed to contact with the ground, being held in the seat 32 by the seat belt members 34 and 35, and having a reliable control of the movements of the device by being able to shift his weight to change his position, as desired.

The various elements of the framework of the device are made of suitable light material, such as tubular metal, such as aluminum tubing, or the like, so that the device is relatively light in weight. When the parts are disassembled, the various elements can be stacked together to form a relatively compact package which is easy to transport or store.

While a specific embodiment of an improved amusement and exercise device has been disclosed in the foregoing description, it will be understood that various modifications within the spirit of the invention may occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, it is intended that no limitations be placed on the invention except as defined by the scope of the appended claim.

What is claimed is:

An amusement and exercise device comprising respective pairs of parallel spaced continuous substantially circular hoops crossing each other substantially at right angles and connected together at their right-angled intersections to define a substantially spherical framework, a pair of parallel bars chordally secured in the hoops of said pairs, a seat transversely secured on said parallel bars, a foot bar transversely secured to said parallel bars forwardly of said seat, respective inclined hand bars secured between said chordally secured bars and the associated hoops forwardly of and extending upwardly from said seat, and respective spherically contoured rigid plates secured to the transversely superimposed portions of the hoops above and below said seat and being substantially coextensive in area with the area defined within said transversely superimposed hoop portions.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,844,047 Schaefer July 22, 1958 2,923,545 Lytle Feb. 2, 1960 2,948,531 Johnson Aug. 9, 1960 3,076,666 Geiser Feb. 5, 1963 FOREIGN PATENTS 463,933 Germany Aug. 10, 1926 755,799 France Sept. 11, 1933 

